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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215
Wellington, FL 33414
561-333-4568
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A child may face a condition called enamel fluorosis. It may produce if he or she gets too much fluoride during the time the tooth are developing. This can happen in several different ways:
- If the child takes more of a fluoride supplement than the amount prescribed.
- If the child takes a fluoride supplement when there is already an optimal amount of fluoride in the drinking water.
- If the child swallow too much fluoride toothpaste instead of spitting it out.
The enamel fluorosis be can prevented. The need for appropriate fluoride supplement should be determined. You most know how much fluoride your child is receiving from the water supply. Then, you and your pediatric dentist near me can decide together whether your child needs a fluoride supplement. Also, you must monitor your child’s use of fluoride toothpaste. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing, not swallow.
Once fluoride is part of the tooth enamel, it can’t be taken out. But the appearance of the teeth affected can be improved by variety of treatments. Your children dentistry can tell you about dental techniques that enhance your child’s smile and self-confidence.
Since the enamel of baby teeth is thinner than that of permanent teeth, decay can spread rapidly between teeth. Crowns can be used not only to save the decayed tooth but can also help prevent the spread of decay and infection to other areas of the mouth or body. Stainless steel crowns are silver caps that cover the whole tooth.
When a baby tooth is extensively decayed and using other filling materials isn't likely to be successful, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends restoring the tooth with a stainless steel crown especially if the tooth has received pulpal therapy. After removing the decay, your pediatric dentist near me will fit and cement a prefabricated crown made of stainless steel over the tooth.
Stainless steel crowns are silver caps that cover the whole tooth. They restore a tooth's shape, size, and function. Here are some advantages of stainless-steel crowns:
- Durable but inexpensive
- Full coverage protection for the tooth
- Very little sensitivity
- Less likely to need retreatment
- More successful than metal fillings in children under four years old
- Good choice for children who need general anesthesia
- Often used as an attachment for a space maintainer
A baby tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. If your child’s tooth has come out too soon because of decay or an accident, it is important to maintain the space to prevent future space loss and dental problems when permanent teeth begin to come in. The lack of space prevents eruption of the permanent tooth into its proper position. To maintain the space and allow normal eruption of the permanent tooth a space maintainer is placed.
Space maintainers are appliances made of metal or plastic that are custom fit to your child’s mouth. They are small and unobtrusive in appearance. Most children easily adjust to them after the first few days.
Space maintainers hold open the empty space left by the lost teeth, preventing movement until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the jaw. It’s more affordable and easier on your child to keep teeth in normal positions with a space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment. Depending on various factors space maintainers are broadly of two types: Removable space maintainers and fixed space maintainers.
Once the space maintainer is made by the pediatric dentist near me, it may take the child a few days to get accustomed to wearing the appliance whether it is removable or fixed. The dentist should review with the child and parent the proper ways to clean the space maintainer thoroughly to keep the gum tissue healthy and free of dental plaque. Proper instruction for tooth brushing and flossing should be considered for improved oral hygiene.
If the space maintainer is fixed, it will be important to avoid chewy and sugary foods, and gum or candy, which may loosen or get caught on the appliance. Also, the space maintainer should not be pressed or pushed with the tongue or fingers because it could loosen or bend the appliance.
The child should be seen by the pediatric dentist in West Palm Beach or orthodontist on a regular basis to monitor the progress of treatment with the space maintainer and continue to receive a regular six-month professional cleaning appointment with your dental professional.
Depending on the image the Pediatric dentist in West Palm Beach is looking for, he or she may order different types of X-rays. Here are a few types:
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Bitewing. Offers a visual of both the lower and upper posterior teeth in one area of the mouth, like the molars and premolars. This type of X-ray shows the dentist how these teeth touch one another (or occlude). Bitewing X-rays are used to look for cavities between the teeth that are hard to see otherwise. They can also be used to monitor previous fillings.
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Periapical. Provides a view of the entire tooth, from the crown to the bone that helps to support the tooth. These X-rays can be used to look for problems with the tooth's root or the surrounding jaw bone as well as cavities.
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Panoramic. Panoramic X-rays show your child's whole mouth in one X-ray. It shows a view of the teeth, jaws, nasal area, sinuses and the joints of the jaw, so all the teeth on the upper and lower jaws will be visible. Panoramic X-rays can be used to monitor your child's tooth development or to see if he or she needs orthodontics. These X-rays can also be used to see emerging teeth, impacted teeth, or tumors.
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Occlusal. Occlusal X-rays show the entire arch of teeth in either the top or bottom jaw. Offers a clear view of the floor of the mouth to show the bite of the upper or lower jaw. These X-rays can be used to see the placement of all your child's teeth and to see how the teeth fit together when your child bites down.
Give us a call at (561) 333-4568 if you would like to schedule your child’s dentist appointment.
Dental X-rays Dental X-rays (radio-graphs) are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. They are considered safe and only emit minimal amounts of radiation.
This can help your dentist to identify problems. According to the ADA, many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth without X-rays. An X-ray may reveal:
- See if familial dental anomalies are present
- Find cavities between and on the teeth
- Check on previous endodontic treatments
- Determine the cause of oral swelling
- Evaluate injuries to the teeth after trauma
- Evaluate the health of the alveolar bone
- Determine how many teeth are present in the mouth
- Determine the impact of teeth that may be unerupted
- Determine if unerupted teeth are missing
- Find if teeth have bone loss or periodontal disease
- Visualize teeth that are impacted.
A check-up every six months is recommended in order prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist near me can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.
Since X-rays expose children to radiation, many parents are worried about the risk of conditions like cancer. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reassures parents that the amount of radiation that's received during a dental X-ray is extremely small. Today's X-ray equipment lets dentists focus the X-ray beam on the area of interest to reduce radiation exposure. Protective equipment like lead body aprons and shields also keep your child safe during their procedure. Call us at 561-333 4568 to schedule an appointment.
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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215
Wellington, FL 33414